NC Made the Raw Edition: Durham candle company that started as pandemic project turns creativity Into a hands-on experience

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — What started as a pandemic project has grown into a creative small business in Durham. The Raw Edition Candle Company lets visitors not just buy candles, but make their own.

“Candle making is therapeutic,” said founder Ticca Harris.

Harris said COVID-19 was the catalyst for her business idea.

“One of our taglines is ‘Pouring happiness into a jar,'” Harris said. “Since we birthed our business out of it, it was a very dark time for a lot of people. And that also was a good time for creativity to burst. You would see there was a big jump in small businesses during that time frame.”

From pop-ups to a storefront, The Raw Edition Candle Company has since grown, now partnering with Durham’s Proximity Brewing.

A proud Durham native, Harris said her hometown has made all the difference. “I am the second graduating class from Durham School of the Arts,” she said.

Now, The Raw Edition Candle Company is one of Durham’s top-rated Airbnb experiences, where guests can pour and create their own candles while learning about the Bull City from a true local.

“One of the stipulations is that you actually have to be a native of the town,” Harris said. “When people are coming into Durham, they want to know some of the nicks and crannies. They also want to know you being a Durham native.”

From cheeky candle names to soothing scents, Harris says she’s selling more than candles – she’s sharing moments of tranquility and memories tied to scent.